6 Hidden Toxic Ingredients in Your Cleaning Products

shoulder pain did not subside Beth Greer, a journalist by profession, ate a healthy diet of organically grown food, so she went to the doctor confident that it was nothing serious. But an MRI revealed a tumor in the thorax – luckily benign – that required complex surgery.

Beth Greer decided not to have surgery right away and help your body to regain balance detoxing your life completely.

started by the environmental “poisons” that could contribute to the growth of your tumor. She got rid of all her household cleaning products and started making her own with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, or lemon.

He thoroughly inspected everything that entered his home and his body. Eliminating toxics worked. Nine months later, the tumor had disappeared and this experience helped him write a book, Super Natural Homewhich was a bestseller in the United States.

Beth Greer currently teaches workshops and talks on how to lead a natural lifestyle at home, non-toxic and free of synthetic chemicals.

Banish cleaning products that are harmful to health

More than 50% of cleaning products used in the home contain ingredients that damage the lungs and respiratory system. In some we can find carcinogenic components such as formaldehyde or chloroform, or compounds that cause blindness, asthma and other serious diseases.

They are the conclusions of a meticulous analysis of these products carried out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in 2012.

They discovered that they include ingredients such as 2-butoxyethanola solvent that can damage red blood cells, or sodium or potassium hydroxide (caustic soda or potash), used in oven cleaners and can burn skin, lungs, and eyes.

In our houses you can find up to 62 toxic chemicals that have been related to diseases such as asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders and infertility, hormonal disorders, neurotoxic diseases or unspecific ailments, in addition to damaging the fragile ecosystems of nature.

Children are the most affected by this invisible plague and little known by those who usually do the cleaning at home. Medical researchers have found a clear association between childhood asthma and frequent use of bleach, disinfectants, and air fresheners. Using them just once a week can already trigger an asthma attack, and the risk is increased with sprays.

The most harmful ingredients in cleaning products

These are the most dangerous ingredients:

1. Phthalates, they are endocrine disruptors

Are used in products with “fragrance” and “perfume” synthetics such as all-purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, air fresheners or dish soap, and even toilet paper. But, be careful, also in many personal hygiene products.

They are endocrine disruptors, that is, they impair the hormonal balance in adults and children, they cause infertility (decreased sperm count in men), migraine headaches, and asthma.

2. Perchlorethylene, neurotoxic cleaner

Perchlorethylene (tetrachlorethylene, PCE, or PERC) is found in solutions for dry cleaningstain removers and cleaners for carpets and upholstery, wood cleaners, shoe cleaners, etc.

Is a neurotoxin and a “possible carcinogen.” It produces dizziness, severe eye and respiratory irritation, or loss of coordination.

3. Triclosan, away from your dishes

in most of dishwashing liquids and soaps labeled as “antibacterial”.

It is of no use in practice, but it can alter natural ecosystems and favors the appearance of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. It is a probable carcinogen.

Its use in soaps has been Already banned in the US.

4. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), which cause dermatitis

Present at fabric softeners and most cleaners and disinfectants that bear the “antibacterial” label.

They pose the same problem as triclosan, they cause dermatitis and there are suspicions that they originate respiratory disorders.

5. 2-butoxyethanol, effective cleaner but highly toxic

In kitchen cleaners, window cleaners and all purpose cleaners.

It belongs to the category of “glycol ethers”, a group of solvents that are very effective in cleaning, but that cause sore throatsand in high concentrations, narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.

6. There are many others on the list

Add to this ominous list ammonia, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), formaldehyde and many others that, although they cannot be considered especially dangerous for people, have a very detrimental impact on nature when they reach the water of rivers and springs (such as phosphates –in laundry detergents– or surfactants).

And the worst thing is that labels are useless for information, you would have to be an expert in chemistry to identify them. Phthalates, for example, don’t usually appear, but if you see the word “perfume,” it’s probably phthalates.